Beau Vallon Heat, Seychelles’ basketball champions, have become a constant figure in the Road to BAL (Basketball Africa League) qualifiers.
However, despite their three attempts, they have yet to break through to the Elite 16, facing stiff competition in the East Division Group D qualifiers.
While the dream remains elusive, the team, under the leadership of coach Augustin Scholastique, continues to fight for a place at Africa’s premier club competition.
Scholastique, a veteran in Seychelles basketball for over three decades, has seen the sport struggle due to various challenges.
“Several factors at play have seen our basketball stagnate in the last four years. The then federation president Yana Malbrook resigned in 2019, creating a leadership vacuum,” Scholastique said.
“The situation was worsened by COVID-19, and even after partial action returned in 2022, the same problems still prevail.”
A physical education teacher turned basketball coach, Scholastique has dedicated his life to nurturing the sport through his Belair Academy, and now, Beau Vallon Academy. His commitment has seen Beau Vallon Heat become a powerhouse, but the lack of other structured basketball programs in the country has left them without significant local competition.
“For more than four years, our team has qualified for continental competitions through short tournaments. We played five tournaments to qualify for the Road to BAL 2025. But when we face professionals who play all year round, it’s difficult to compete,” Scholastique admitted.
Seychelles’ basketball landscape remains underdeveloped. The women’s league folded after Malbrook’s exit, and the country’s culture, where girls are not encouraged to join sports at a young age, has hampered efforts to grow the game among women.
Scholastique revealed, “The new leadership plans to have a women’s team at the 2025 Island Games in Seychelles as part of a revival strategy, but finding players is a challenge.”
Beau Vallon Heat’s skipper, Timmy Adam, echoed Scholastique’s concerns. Adam, who has played for the team since 2015, emphasized the need for strong leadership to transform the sport.
“As a young basketballer, we had school games and programs involving star players from abroad, but all that is gone now. It’s painful to see talented youth wasting away because of a lack of proper structures,” he said.
At 37, Adam is nearing the end of his playing career but worries about the future of basketball in Seychelles.
“Players in Africa now reach their peak in their early 20s. At my age, I’m almost done, but there are few younger players to take the mantle, not because of a lack of talent, but because the structures aren’t there to develop them.”
Beau Vallon Heat has attempted to fill the gap through their academy, but Adam believes more needs to be done.
“For us to attract top talent and professionals, we need more games in a season, better structures, and investment in the sport. The ripple effect is that our national team suffers, and basketball stagnates,” Adam said.
Infrastructure remains another obstacle. The country has only one indoor arena, the Victoria Gymnasium. However, Beau Vallon Heat’s management is working to build their own indoor facility, which Scholastique hopes will inspire others to follow suit.
“We need more Seychellois basketball enthusiasts to step up as coaches and referees if we are to truly change the basketball ecosystem in the country,” Scholastique said.
Despite the challenges, both Scholastique and Adam remain optimistic. They believe that Beau Vallon Heat’s journey in African basketball is a testament to what can be achieved when stakeholders come together to fight for the sport.
With new leadership in place and plans for revitalization underway, they hope Seychelles basketball can rise to new heights.
